Holden’s Bates a star on, off the gridiron

Mike Bates It’s not by luck, good fortune or accident that Holden’s Mike Bates has been named as a Beyond Sports Network (BSN) Division II Preseason All-American for the upcoming 2012 season.

The junior defensive back, a 2010 graduate of Wachusett Regional, has taken his skills and superb work ethic on to Assumption College and has made the most of his opportunities. Bates, a Northeast-10 Second Team All-Conference honoree, was also an Academic All-Conference selection and led the Northeast-10 Conference in interceptions with six in 2011.

But as much as he contributes on the football field, he is equally praised for his leadership and team-building skills off the gridiron. He was a team co-captain for the remarkable 2009 Wachusett team that won the Central Mass. Division 1 Super Bowl, beating rival Holy Name 34-0 to cap an undefeated season.

On that cold and snowy December afternoon at Fitchburg State University, top-ranked Wachusett executed a flawless attack from both sides of the ball to knock off the Naps in convincing fashion. It was no coincidence that Bates was a key contributor, along with his teammates, to making that season one of the most memorable in WRHS history.

“As good a football player as he is, he’s an even better person,” said Wachusett head coach Mike Dubzinski. “He doesn’t seek personal glory and always makes sure his teammates receive recognition when recognition is due. He’s the first to help a younger teammate when he needs help and is just a tremendous leader by example.

“I’m not at all surprised that Mike has made the transition to college football so easily. He always puts forth his best effort and has improved his strength and size. Pound for pound he’s one of the toughest kids to come through our program. I can’t say enough good things about Mike Bates.”

His introduction to football was watching older brother Keith competing in Pop Warner football. Not long after, Bates was on the team as well, and his love of the game was nearly instant. He continued to climb the football ladder through youth football and junior varsity before becoming a standout high-school defensive back, exhibiting the skill and pride that Mountaineer sports are all about. The soft-spoken Bates speaks with emotion when talking about his senior year’s undefeated season.

“That season was so special for us,” he said. “We were all best friends and knew we had potential to go all the way. That entire year was the best year of my life. That final game we all knew it was the last time we’d all be competing together, so we just went out and told ourselves to have a blast.”

From Wachusett, it was on to Assumption, where older brother Keith, who Michael refers to as his role model, was a team member as a senior. Having observed his sibling on the gridiron helped ease the transition from high school to college, and the results were almost instant.

“At first, the jump to college football was nerve-wracking but my older brother had played there and so I’d seen the games,” Bates said. “I knew it would involve more hard work but I love being out on the field. We have a great defense and we all know where to be and when on the field. It’s just a really good group of defensive backs.”

His accomplishments as a safety for the Greyhounds are impressive. He had an interception return for a touchdown in three straight games, leading all NCAA football in that category. Bates, a Worcester All-Area Second Team honoree, is the only player in Assumption history with more than one interception return for a touchdown in a season.

His 57-yard return at home against Southern Connecticut is the fifth-longest interception returned for a touchdown in school history. Overall, he finished the season with 47 total tackles, along with eight tackles for a loss of 40 yards, six interceptions for 133 yards, three pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. He was a Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in a home rout of first-place Merrimack.

Assumption head coach Cory Bailey echoes the praise of his junior defensive back. “Mike just does a great job for us. He never complains. He’s never loud. He’s a kind of silent leader that guys respect. He has a great work ethic and has bulked himself up from 165 pounds to about 180 and that’s all through hard work in the weight room.”

Bates, an accounting major, is happy but humble in acknowledging his All- American status.

“Being named an All-American was a thrill and an honor,” Bates said. “It was really something special. I know I have to work hard to live up to the honor, but I intend to do that.”